News Release

Plastic Makers Support California Coastal Cleanup Day

Californians Urged to Take Advantage of Recycling Opportunities

SACRAMENTO, CA (September 19, 2009) – Because we recognize that plastics don’t belong in our oceans, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) is proud to mark California Coastal Cleanup Day by making it even easier for Californians recycle, helping to keep our beaches and oceans clean.

For this year’s cleanup event, organized by the California Coastal Commission, ACC is working with Keep California Beautiful to assist volunteers in cleaning up beaches statewide.  ACC’s donation includes more than 100,000 separate bags appropriately labeled for waste or recycling.  In addition, ACC sponsored a cleanup and recycling education program in San Diego with the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks).

“We are pleased to be able to support this ongoing effort in the San Diego area in 2009 as a model for the rest of California and other coastal states,” said Christine Flowers-Ewing, Executive Director, Keep California Beautiful.  “It is truly one of those projects where ‘the efforts of one result in power of many’.”

It’s been almost two years since ACC entered into a successful partnership with Keep California Beautiful (KCB) and California State Parks to increase the recycling of plastics and other materials, particularly at beaches.  Under the “Plastics. Too Valuable to Waste. Recycle.TM” program, more than 500 permanent and seasonal recycling bins and educational signs have been placed in 25 locations in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Santa Cruz.

ACC’s recycling program is going strong and, because an estimated 80 percent of marine debris starts as litter on land, the program is also moving inland.  ACC teamed with the City of Los Angeles to place new recycle bins in Brentwood and partnered with the City of Woodland (near Sacramento) to place almost 30 new bins in their most popular parks.  Looking ahead, ACC is working with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and local charities, the Aquarium of the Pacific and the California Department of Transportation to provide more Californians and tourists with additional “on-the-go” recycling opportunities.

“Experts agree that effective solutions to the problem of marine litter will require cooperation among a diverse group of stakeholders and a commitment to increasing recycling and to making litter a culturally unacceptable behavior.  We look forward to turning those objectives into reality,” said Steve Russell, Vice President, Plastics, of the American Chemistry Council.

Californians also are urged to look for recyclable plastics in their homes, such as plastic grocery bags, retail bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper bags, bread bags, and wraps from paper towels, napkins and diapers – all of which can be recycled wherever plastic bags are recycled.  Shoppers can check their local grocery stores or visit PlasticBagRecycling.org to find a convenient location.

“Too much recyclable plastic is ending up as litter on our beaches and in our waterways,” said Russell.  “Our partnerships and programs will continue to work in concert with efforts like the California Coastal Cleanup Day to increase recycling and protect our environment for the future of California.”

More than 80 percent of U.S. households have access to a recycling program, be it curbside collection or community drop-off centers.  Yet, historically, in many areas the demand for recycled plastics exceeds the available supply. While there are approximately 2,100 certified recycling centers in California, too much plastic is being treated as trash instead of as a valuable material that is readily recyclable.

Learn more about marine debris.

About the Plastics Department
The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Department represents leading companies dedicated to providing innovative solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow through plastics.  Ongoing innovations in plastics have led to medical advances and safety equipment that make our lives better, healthier and safer every day.  ACC members are finding innovative ways for plastics to help save energy, reduce green house gas emissions and decrease waste.  Since plastics are a valuable resource, too valuable to waste, the Plastics Department is at the forefront of efforts to reduce litter through increased access to recycling, advancements in recycling technology, and public education. To learn more, please visit www.americanchemistry.com/plastics.